Bon Jovi pays surprise visit to his old school
Students chat with Sayreville class of '80 grad-turned-rock-star

SAYREVILLE - The man who may well be the borough's most famous son made a return
to his alma mater last Thursday.

Jon Bon Jovi arrived at Sayreville War Memorial High School the morning of March
16 to talk to more than 60 students for a half-hour in the school auditorium, an
appearance filmed by ABC for the "20/20" television show.

High school Principal James Brown said "20/20" is expected to run a segment
chronicling Bon Jovi's life from Sayreville to stardom on March 31.

Students were not told that the rock star, who graduated from Sayreville in
1980, was coming to the school until the morning of the event, although many
picked up on the clues - they had to return permission slips allowing them to be
filmed, and a large "welcome home" sign was posted at the entrance of the
school.

The 60 students, all involved in performing arts, were ushered from their
classrooms to the auditorium by a show producer, according to Brown, who said
the students were very excited to see Bon Jovi.

"The kids' reaction was electric," Brown said. "I think it was a warm greeting.
He is a tremendous entertainer, and he spoke well. The kids really enjoyed it."

Bon Jovi, who now lives in Middletown, Monmouth County, touched on his past and
how he became who he is today, according to Brown.

Students asked Bon Jovi about his greatest accomplishments, his music, memories
of his hometown, and what it takes to make it in the music industry.

Bon Jovi, whose name was spelled Bongiovi until he changed it as an adult, told
them it's been many years since he had been back to the high school.

Maureen Proudman, secretary to the superintendent, was present at last week's
event and recalled that Bon Jovi always loved football, but was too small to
play for the school team. So it was only fitting that upon his return the school
give him a Sayreville Bombers jersey with his name on it.

"He was phenomenal with those kids," Proudman said of Thursday's assembly. "The
answers he gave [them] and the way he credited his family. The whole thing was
great."

Seniors Caitlin Bovery and Danny Giovenco, both 17 and honors students at the
school, were able to greet the entertainer before the event. Danny recently
performed in a school variety show where he sang Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or
Alive."

"It was ironic and surprising that he actually came," Danny said.

Danny, a school choir member who will attend The College of New Jersey in Ewing
next year, said meeting one of his favorite performers was "surreal." The
answers Bon Jovi gave to questions on his career and inspirations were both
sincere and enlightening.

"He really emphasized that desire was the key," Danny said. "You have to want it
so bad that it hurts."

Caitlin said she has been a fan of Bon Jovi all of her life.

"I cannot remember not knowing who Bon Jovi was," Caitlin said.

Like Danny, Caitlin is active in the school choir. She is also in the theater
group and recently played the lead role in the musical "Once on This Island."
She will attend The College of William and Mary in Virginia to study marine
biology next fall.

"He was really nice," Caitlin said of Bon Jovi. "It was great to hear a famous
performer answer questions." Caitlin was particularly impressed with the
artist's answer to what his greatest success was.

"It was very down-to-earth; it was his family," she said. "It was awesome to
hear that from someone who is famous."

Greeting Bon Jovi before the event was "overwhelming" for Caitlin and Danny.

"We smiled for the rest of the day," Caitlin said. "We never stopped."